DIY: 3 in 1 Kids Play Tent – A Lowe’s Creative Idea

October 17, 2012

I hope you’re having a great week and I want to thank all of you who left such kind comments about my daughter’s room makeover. I already shared one DIY creation in the room (the washi tape initial) and I’m back today to share another part of the space for my first challenge as a Lowe’s Creative Team Member (learn more about that here).

One of my favorite parts of the room was creating a play tent. My kids, as most kids do, love creating forts and tents with blankets and pillows. They love the idea of a hidden place to play, read books, and tell stories. When embarking on this makeover, I thought a play tent would be the perfect addition for a small space in the corner of her room. I didn’t want to make the tent dominate the space, but I also didn’t want it to be too small because what fun is that?!

My solution for the dilemma… A 3-in-1 tent with long panels to allow room for 1 child or 5.

Kids love options – am I right?! You never know if they want to play by themselves in a little cocoon or if they want all their friends around to have a tea party, play barbies, or battle like droids (parents of Star War fans know what I’m talking about).

When starting this project, I of course, headed to Lowe’s to gather my supplies.

To start off, I headed to my favorite home improvement store, Lowe’s, to gather my supplies.

1. Once home, I cut the 1″ x 6″ board into a 38″ piece and a 26″ piece (Lowe’s will also cut your wood pieces to size). The nailed the two ends together.

2. Using anchors and screws ( I always use the self-screwing kind), I attached to the two pieces of wood to the corner space. Then for the curve, I cut the 4″ wide x 8′ long toe kick in half. Using finishing nails, I attached the flexible curved wood to the end of each 1″ x 6″ to finish the canopy base.

The curved wood was a little flimsy (obviously so it can bend), so I secured it in the back by hot gluing on paint sticks.

Once the base was done, the fun part started… adding the fabric.

In knowing that I was going to use white long panels, I wanted to add a bit of whimsy and fun to the valance, so I used a fun Duralee Ikea fabric along with drop cloth and a white pom-pom trim.

3. I cut a piece of drop cloth that was slightly larger that the valance, then wrapped it around the front of the valance and secured it in the back with hot glue. The curved front sits about 1/2″ from the ceiling so I was able to wrap the fabric at the top as well.

Time to jazz it up!

4. After the drop cloth was in place, I added the colorful Ikat fabric. I determined that I wanted to have a 3″ band of the fabric and marked it along the valance. Then once again, I hot glued on the fabric. Easy-Peasy!

secured the fabric in the front…

secured the fabric on the back…

5. Then I added the cute white pom-pom trim. Of course with hot glue… again.

For the last part of this 3-in-1 Kids Play Tent, are the panels.

Ok, so let’s take a step back and let me explain how and why I created these panels. Because of the dynamic fuschia in the room, I thought white panels would be a quieter, fresh contrast. I also wanted them to feel light and airy, so decided on a sheer panel with a small pattern (sheers from Target). The overall length was only 84″ and needed to be much longer, so I added a solid white cotton fabric (used from Ikea window panels) to the bottom. They look pretty for the tent, but could also be used as drapery panels at a later date – I love creating things that can be used now AND later.

6. With right sides together, I sewed the two short ends of the panels. I wasn’t worried about the length because the longer the better – this is how the large canopy is created.

7. Once the two panels were created, I attached them with staples to the ceiling on the inside of the valance. I also overlapped the two panels creating a natural opening / closure.

8. Lastly, I added metal tie backs that I purchased at Lowe’s. These tiebacks are perfect to pull back the panels and have the space wide open – like a stage for the kids to put on a play.

And it’s done. An exciting 3-in-1 Kids Play Tent.

1 – Panels completely pulled back

2 – A cozy hidden nook with panels drawn

3 – Panels pulled out creating a larger “tent”

What a fun spot! Within minutes of having this space done, my kids had all their stuffed animals, blankets, and pillows tucked away inside.

Well my little girl is calling me to go back into her tent – I gotta go!

You can find more DIY creations in the Lowe’s Creative Magazine or the Lowe’s Ipad App for FREE!

Disclosure: I am part of the Lowe’s Creative Team and was provided with a Lowe’s gift card to purchase items for my project. I was also compensated for my time to use the products. No one told me what to create, what to buy, how to use the product, or what to write. All opinions are 100% mine!

Hi Jenna! Great project! I’m actually in the process of doing and have a question. I cut each board per your measurements, 26″ & 38″. Attached then together. They are on the wall. Then I had my flexible board (same as yours) which I cut in 1/2, so now I have 2 4″ long flexible boards. When I went to attach it, they are not long enough… Where did I go wrong?
Thank you very much ;-)

Hi! I love this project!!! I actually started building this tent today in my 4 year old’s room! I do have a question. So, I cut my 2 boars, 26″ and 38″ (still confused on why they had to be different sizes, but I have faith that it will work), nailed them to the wall. Then when I went to attach the toe kick (flexible), which I have cut in 1/2, so I had 2x 4″ long pieces) – it was too short. So I had to go back to Lowes and buy another piece and had them cut 55″ long instead…what did I do wrong?

Yay! I found not only pictures of what I’m trying to explain to my husband, but plans to do it!! I do have one question – not sure if you’re still responding since it was posted last year….did you have any problems with the curtains being pulled on? I’m wondering if staples would hold that much fabric AND be strong enough to hold up to kids playing with them. Thanks for the how-to!

I was worried that the curtains would pull, but thankfully they haven’t. A lot of staples really holds the fabric in place. I wish I had a better solution and I’m sure there is one, but at the time that’s all my brain could think of, lol. Good Luck with your creation!

[…] the bright hue), but the accents and bed are new additions. Other details simply got revamped and a new, fun play tent was also created, which is on the other side of the room. My favorite part of the room is the […]